Whenever I ask someone about joining one of the nonprofit boards I serve on, this is the reaction I receive: a panicked look, a quick shake of the head and "No, I am already on a board and I volunteer a lot. There is no way I can possibly take anything else on."

Following a farm brunch at The Kitchen in Eastsound, visitors can check out more than a dozen unique farms during the Orcas Island Farm Tour on Sunday, Oct. 2. At the end of the day, Orcas Farm will host a soiree, with live local music, DJ Teacher's Pet, a free farmers potluck wood-fired pizza from Inn at Ship Bay by donation and the Lion's Club Beer Garden, sponsored by Island Hoppin' Brewery.

Orcas resident Patricia J. Tullock, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of theft in the first degree, three counts of forgery and two counts of trafficking in stolen property. She was sentenced on Sept. 20 to 50 months. Tullock was transferred to Island County Jail where she will be assessed and then taken to a correctional facility.

Judge Donald Eaton has granted former Orcas High School teacher Gerald Grellet-Tinner a new trial after a lead investigator on the case was accused of misconduct. A new trial is scheduled for Dec. 5. The defendant was released from custody on Sept. 20 after Judge Eaton announced his ruling.

A motion to dismiss the conviction of former Orcas High School teacher Gerald Grellet-Tinner has been filed after allegations of misconduct from a lead investigator on the case. Judge Donald Eaton will announce his decision on the motion on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.

Using live piano music by Lisa Harris as well as recordings of classical music, the Island Inspirational All-Stars chasséd and leaped across the Orcas Center main stage on Sept. 10 to a sold-out crowd.

A San Juan Island woman was murdered in her home in the early morning hours of Sept. 3. Her husband is in custody and is expected to be charged with her homicide in San Juan County Superior Court next week.

Whether injected, snorted or smoked, heroin is rapidly delivered to the brain. The euphoria is immediate, and after just a few times of using, people can become addicted. Washington state is experiencing an opioid abuse and overdose crisis, and the San Juan Islands are not immune.

Joshua Daniel Treleven, 37, of Friday Harbor, admitted to breaking into Roy's Coffee Shop and stealing a speaker, a blender plunger and a cup of soda. He was charged with burglary in the second degree and theft in the third degree.